Press Room

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released the following statement about the How Many Stops Act, one bill of which he co-prime sponsors with Council Member Alexa Avilés. Read the facts on this legislation here.

"Ten years ago, I passed legislation curbing the abuses of stop, question, and frisk. But now, a federal monitor reports that similar tactics have been increasing in use on our streets. The How Many Stops Act is designed to prevent these abuses from returning by requiring reporting on investigatory stops – like questioning someone related to a suspected crime. It simply does not require reporting on every interaction, like casual conversation or asking for directions. Nor does it require recording of personal information like name and address in those interactions. This is a common sense way to get information about whether and how policing reforms are being implemented on the ground in our communities.

“I hope the conversation can center on what this bill actually does, not what people have put forth in bad faith and with bad information. 

“Whatever the fearmongering has fabricated, the reality is that this bill, crafted with NYPD input, merely requires sharing basic data on the number and nature of law enforcement stops. I believe that a department with the technological capabilities the NYPD has displayed will be able to do this reporting in a simple, rapid way that leads to better policing and safer streets.”

NEW YORK: Following the Wednesday release of Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams' 2023 Worst Landlord Watchlist, tenants, housing advocates, and elected officials have called for action to hold the most negligent landlords accountable and correct dangerous conditions in dilapidated buildings.

This year’s list, available here, was topped by Johnathan Santana, the designated head officer for infamous landlord Daniel Ohebshalom. Santana was also the #1 worst landlord on the list last year, and this year amassed the most open violations in the list’s history with a staggering 3293 open violations across 306 units in buildings on the list. Since Santana topped last year’s list, Ohebshalom has faced increased legal scrutiny, and settled three lawsuits with the city, totaling $4.2 million dollars.

In launching the list, Public Advocate Williams highlighted the recent success of tenants moving a neglected building that for years was in Johnathan Santana’s name and portfolio under Daniel Ohebshalom into an HPD rehabilitation program, out of the control of the worst landlord. He stressed that recent budget cuts and proposed further reductions will greatly inhibit enforcement actions to hold landlords accountable and deliver relief to tenants.

Video of the Public Advocate's remarks during the launch can be found here.

“It is so important to call out bad actor landlords by name for their gross negligence and apathy towards everyday New Yorkers.,” said Council Member Erik Bottcher. “One of the headliners on this year’s list is Daniel Ohebshalom, and in my district specifically we have fought Mr. Ohebshalom on buildings he owns in the Clinton Special Zoning District at 410 and 412 West 46th Street. Thankfully we just recently saw HPD win a lawsuit against him which appoints an administrator to fix up and activate these neglected buildings. It’s important for tenants to know who their landlord is, and if they are on this list. I urge everyone to read it, and am thankful to the Public Advocate for compiling it.”

"We're glad a spotlight is being shined on the worst landlords in New York City," said Mark Natanawan of Housing Conservation Coordinators. "The city and state need to redouble their efforts to protect tenants through enacting laws such as the LLC Transparency Act, Good Cause Eviction, and statewide Right To Counsel. We also urge our elected officials to pass COPA and TOPA legislation, so that buildings like 410 and 412 W. 46th Street have the opportunity to flourish again under community ownership."

"It is so infuriating to have to rapidly respond with both legal and financial support to stop evictions in Brooklyn, while tenants, especially elders of color, are living in utter squalor.  These landlords are so quick to haul people into courts for non-payment, yet refuse to make any repairs, provide working fridges or stoves, remove lead paint or mold in order to force tenants out of their homes. It's only after you've been evicted or forced out, will the landlord renovate the apartment so they can charge more money for it. These landlords need to be held accountable for all their violence and harm towards tenants." Imani Keith Henry, Lead Organizer, Equality for Flatbush

“Sunlight is the best disinfectant for exposing the unlawful and inhumane practices of predatory landlords,” said Aaron Carr, Founder and Executive Director of Housing Rights Initiative. “We commend Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for continuing to hold bad actors accountable and protecting the rights of vulnerable tenants across New York City.”

“The conditions these landlords subject low-income New Yorkers to is appalling, illegal and devoid of any decency and humanity,” said Judith Goldiner, Attorney-In-Charge of the Civil Law Reform Unit at The Legal Aid Society. “The Legal Aid Society lauds Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for producing the Worst Landlord Watchlist to better hold unscrupulous landlords accountable and to spotlight the plights that tenants throughout New York City, especially those from communities of color, are forced to endure each and every day.”

"When landlords critically neglect repairs and structural maintenance of their buildings--they put families and entire neighborhoods in danger,” said Sandra Lobo, Executive Director of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition. “We are acutely aware of that in the Bronx, where a building owned by David David with over 100 violations partially collapsed this week, displacing more than 100 tenants. The Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition is unwavering in its commitment to work with the NYC Public Advocate's office to pass legislation and enforcement to require HPD and landlords to inspect and remove hazardous violations immediately so that tenants can live in safety and dignity. We call on lenders to stop funding predatory landlords and enforce any clauses on mortgage agreements that push owners to keep properties up to code. And we are organizing so that residents have pathways to ownership over their buildings and land to ensure our neighborhoods are stable and can thrive over the long term."

"St Nicks Alliance applauds the Public Advocate for issuing the 2023 Worst Landlord List. The 2023 Worst Landlord List shed light on some of the landlords that use some of the most egregious practices to displace tenants. St Nicks Alliance is proud to organize and assist tenants living in buildings owned by some of these landlords to ensure that their homes are safe and free of harassment. To tenants in New York City that are facing harassment or other housing quality issues, our message is: You are Not Alone, you have housing rights and there are organization and City Agencies that can help you with your housing issues" said Rolando Guzman, St Nicks Alliance Deputy Director for Community Preservation and Policy

“If negligent landlords like Daniel Ohebshalom are unable to take care of their buildings, then it's time to give them over to the tenants. Our state must pass the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act and give these homes back to the community. Every New Yorker deserves a safe, stable home where we can live without fear of walls crumbling down around us,” said Cea Weaver, Housing Justice for All

The annual Worst Landlord spotlights the most negligent property owners in the city, as determined by the number of dangerous housing violations in their buildings. Private landlords on the Worst Landlord Watchlist are ranked objectively according to data obtained by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Landlords are ranked based on the average number of housing code violations open per month on their buildings on the watchlist, using data from December 2022 to November 2023. More on the methodology is available here.

View the full Worst Landlord Watchlist, and check to see if your address is owned by a 2023 worst landlord, by visiting LandlordWatchlist.com.

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams introduced new legislation in the City Council on Wednesday aimed at providing street vendors with city support as New York’s smallest businesses. The bill is part of a broad package introduced on street vendor rights, resources, and reforms, including bills from Council Members Pierina Sanchez, Amanda Farías, Shekar Krishnan, and Carmen De La Rosa.

"Street vendors are New York City's smallest businesses, and they present both a vital service to consumers and a vital economic engine for our city, especially for marginalized communities,” said Public Advocate Williams. “By designating a specific division of Small Business Services to support street vendors through my bill, the city can provide the education and resources that are essential to the success of these entrepreneurs. I'm proud to have a bill as part of this legislative package, many years in the making, and honored to partner with the Council and advocates who have brought us to this point of progress."

The Public Advocate’s bill, Intro 1268, would create a division of Street Vendor Assistance within the Department of Small Business Services, charged with providing training, outreach, and education to all food vendors and general vendors regarding entrepreneurship and compliance with all applicable local laws, rules, and regulation. It would also require the commissioner of small business services to update the department’s programs to facilitate services specifically for street vendor small businesses. This would give street vendors access to many of the same tools afforded to other small businesses.

Street vending in New York has always been a critical component of in the city’s economy. Nearly 20,000 individuals are employed as street vendors to date. The industry has played an important role in the city's growth, supporting immigrants, people of color, and military veterans to successfully operate the city’s smallest businesses, while creating entrepreneurs along the way.

The current ways in the city approaches and addresses street vendors often leaves many individuals harassed, unfairly arrested, and without adequate resources or clear regulations. Additionally, thousands of vendors have been waitlisted for food vendor permits, with some of them waiting for decades. While some legislative progress has been made in recent years, much more work remains to ensure the industry is supported and treated equitably.

This legislative package will reform the city’s current street vending systems, allowing vendors to build wealth within their neighborhoods by further regulating their small businesses, while still allowing them to provide New Yorkers with services they request on a daily basis. Additional bills within the package introduced Wednesday include business licensing and regulatory compliance of all mobile food and merchandise, reducing the criminal liability on food and merchandise vending, and siting rules and regulations for licensed and permitted vendors.

"As a longtime supporter of congestion pricing, I know this vote is a major milestone years in the making, and means we are nearing the time when this critical policy will take effect. In the period between today’s vote and the full implementation of congestion pricing, though, I believe there are still important considerations and accommodations that must be made, concerns which have yet to be adequately addressed.

“As designed, the provisions around taxis will create undue financial burden for drivers already struggling to make a living. I further believe that the discounted rate for low-income New Yorkers – which are only triggered after ten full-rate trips – is insufficient to meet the level of need in an existing affordability crisis. Greater effort must also be made to protect these same communities from an increase in hazardous emissions.

“Unrestrained exemptions to congestion pricing would undermine its purpose and render the policy ineffective – at the same time, limited use of adjustments will make it stronger, more sustainable, and more equitable. I urge the Board to make these considerations ahead of implementation.”

"At a time in our city when many seem in a constant state of mourning, pain, outrage, and concern, grasping for hope, we can be thankful for a moment today that some hostages have been released to return home to their families, and that the violence in Gaza that has taken many thousands of lives, destroyed homes and families, has ceased temporarily. We can be grateful for this progress, but we cannot be satisfied with it.

"Humanity demands the return of all remaining hostages, and a lasting cessation of the violence and suffering we have seen. Humanity demands the destruction and death in Gaza over the past seven weeks does not just resume after a brief moment of respite. And we all have a moral obligation to use whatever voice and influence we have to push for inhumanity to end.

"Violence begets violence, and neither justice nor freedom nor safety nor strength nor peace is built on a body count."

"Yesterday, the mayor celebrated an increase in public school enrollment, driven primarily by the migrant families who have come to our city seeking asylum, as a sign that ‘New York is back.’ Today, he released a budget that slashes public education funding, along with services throughout the city, and cast blame on the arrival of those same families, justifying cuts that will harm all New Yorkers by pointing to the most vulnerable. This repeated strategy by the administration pits the New Yorkers who have less against new New Yorkers who have least, and it is irresponsible messaging and governance.

"Every time the city has faced a challenge in the last two years, the answer from the administration has been to cut. Blaming fiscal woes solely on the asylum crisis, even though, truthfully, has absolutely impacted our budget, it only explains a portion of a shortfall we've anticipated long before the first bus arrived. These cuts aren’t abstract, and do real harm to our systems of government and New Yorkers relying on those services. While there is a clear and urgent need for additional funding and resources from the state and federal government, the mayor should come to the table with a scalpel instead of cuts across the board. He should also reconsider the administration's annual opposition to supporting common sense revenue raising options that ensure the city can continue to uphold its fiscal responsibility and moral responsibility at the same time."